Hawarden: Police issue Cold Caller advice following reports of “intimidating” scrap metal hunters

Police have issued advice on dealing with Cold Callers after ‘persons’ in a pickup truck looking for scrap metal targeted the Hawarden area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The scrap metal hunters were also said to be attending addresses asking to buy vehicles and reported to be doing so in an “intimidating” way. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

South Flintshire Police have said: “We have been made aware of persons in a white pick-up truck attending addresses in your area asking to purchase vehicles or enquire about scrap.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The reports we have had describe intimidating behaviour and not taking “No” for an answer.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Police have issued the following advice: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

– Unannounced visits by people to your home to sell goods or services (sometimes called ‘cold visits’ or ‘cold calls’) are not illegal, but you can deter these individuals by putting a sticker or notice on your door saying that you don’t wish to receive cold visits. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

– Anyone who calls at your door should have some form of identification. You are well within your rights to ask for this and make a note of their details. If you don’t like the way they speak to you or you feel they’re calling too often, simply ask them for their company’s details and make a complaint. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

– Never give out banking or personal details to anyone you’re unsure about. If you can’t be certain if a visitor is genuinely who they say they are, ask them to come back at a later date. This gives you time to verify their identity and perhaps also arrange for a relative or friend to be there. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

– Remember, it’s ok to tell visitors you’re not interested or ask them to leave if you aren’t comfortable. Legitimate visitors will understand. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

– Finally, look out for your neighbours, especially those who are elderly or vulnerable. They tend to be targeted most by those who may be up to no good. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

If you see anybody acting suspiciously in your area, you can report it via live web chat, 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

For up-to-date information about crime, events, advice and general policing activity in your local area, sign up to North Wales Community Alerts here: https://orlo.uk/MKkbj ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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